McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

Lamborghini News

Lamborghini news from duPont REGISTRY News, updated daily, covering the V12 hybrid Revuelto, the Temerario and the Urus, one of the biggest names in luxury SUV news. Our reporting runs across reveals, first drives, one-off builds and the auction results that set values. We also follow the earlier cars, from the Countach through to the Veneno. Many sites carry supercar news, but very few carry it beside live listings. A great many of the Lamborghinis covered here are listed for sale on duPont REGISTRY, so the reporting and a real asking price appear together. For Lamborghini news today, start with the stories below.

By Caitlin Duffy – November 06, 2015

2016 Lamborghini Huracan Details Released

The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 has seen immense success and popularity since its release in 2014, and it's about to become even more popular.The Italian marque announced today in a press release that a round of new updates are coming to the Huracan for 2016, bringing Lamborghini engineering and design to entirely new levels, even though the price remains unchanged.Engine efficiency is increased in both the coupe and Spyder versions thanks to the addition of cylinder deactivation, the first time such a feature has been used on a naturally aspirated V10. The four-wheel drive system has been fine tuned for a smoother ride, creating "even more improved driving behavior, particularly in STRADA mode," as the release describes.Door handles and the upper half of the center console will now come with leather as a standard feature, while color options have been increased for the trim. Interior personalization is also now available thanks to Lamborghini Ad Personam, and both heritage colors and matte paints are now available for the exterior.If you're in the mood to show off the V10 more often, a clear engine bonnet is now available. If that's not quite your style, you can opt for the carbon fiber bonnet instead. But be sure to show off the exhaust - with high gloss black tailpipes, the optional sports exhaust system is now open to customers world wide.If the 2016 Huracan sounds like your kind of car, find yourself a dealer from our exclusive network. Or, if another Lamborghini better suits your tastes, find one from our exclusive listings.Lamborghinis For Sale (via Lamborghini, YouTube)https://blog.dupontregistry.com/features/2016-lamborghini-huracan-coupe-specs-review-photos/

By Caitlin Duffy – October 27, 2015

Lamborghini Countach 5000 S Start Up, Ride in Car Elevator

The Countach is one of Lamborghini's most iconic models. It appeared in posters on countless walls and was drawn on who-knows-how-many notebooks by automotive dreamers of every age since its 1974 introduction, and to this day, it still remains one of the most sought after collector's cars out there.So, whenever we get a chance to see one and listen to the sweet tune of its engine, we get understandably excited. And we know we're not the only ones that do.(See Also: Lamborghini Aventador Revs & Shoots Flames)Saabkyle04 was recently on a car spotting Euro trip, and when he stopped by Premium Automotive Concept Esser (PACE) Germany, his excitement turned into an incredible video. Shared to YouTube Oct. 25, it shows a red Countach 5000 S as it's being moved from one facility to another. We see and hear this beauteous classic turn on and roll across the showroom floor before taking a quick trip down a car elevator.Check out the video to see just how careful you need to be moving such an insane car, then find your own Countach from our exclusive listings at the button below.Countachs For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini News

By Caitlin Duffy – October 27, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador Revs & Shoots Flames

London may be making moves to prevent supercar owners from showing off engine notes, but their newly proposed laws haven't yet passed, and one Aventador owner is taking advantage of the free time left.YouTube channel TheTFJJ shared a video Oct. 26 of a black Lamborghini Aventador revving its engine and shooting flames for a solid five minutes, surrounded by a crowd of car spotters the entire time. As the video description shares, this particular Aventador features a quad-tip exhaust from Frequency Intelligence, which means that the more intense revs are accompanied by bursts of fire from the rear.(See Also: Why You Should Buy a Lamborghini Aventador SV)Through a quick comparison to Google street view, we're able to figure out that this video was shot on Sloane Street in London, just a short two blocks over from the Harrods department store in London's Knightsbridge neighborhood. It's this one particular area where residents are particularly tired of engine noises, and over the summer, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea proposed a new Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) to ban that type of "anti-social" behavior in the neighborhood.As the council's website describes, hearings for this ordinance occurred in August and September, and a final decision is expected to be released before the end of this month. As there are only five days left in October, including today, this Aventador owner was cutting it close. In the video we see one police officer approached the driver to deliver a warning, but in the near future, that warning could have instead been a criminal charge and/or a fine of up to £100.Keep in mind, this driver was on a public roadway and traffic had to stop due to the large crowd gathered. We always remind you to follow local traffic laws, and be courteous to other drivers on the road.That being said, find your own Aventador for some high revs on a track near you from our exclusive listings below.Aventadors For Sale (Source: YouTube, The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – October 15, 2015

Insane Neon Lamborghini Aventador Spits Flames

If you came to the internet today looking for insane cars, look no further, because we have what you're searching for.While visiting Japan, YouTuber Marchettino spotted one insane Lamborghini Aventador 50th Anniversary. Not only is it wrapped in chrome, it's covered in neon lights that can change colors and strobe. Needless to say, this Aventador could be spotted from far, far away.(Related: LED Ferrari 360 Modena Drives through Tokyo)As if the sight wasn't enough, the owner also seems to have modified the exhaust to make it both louder and brighter via flames.In a video uploaded today, we get to see this neon Aventador in action, along with a group of other Lamborghinis modified in the same manner. You can see the video for yourself by clicking the play button below.Aventador Listings Lamborghini Videos, News and Pics

By Caitlin Duffy – October 13, 2015

Aventador-Only Drive Through Laguna Beach with Lamborghin...

Of all the exotic car dealerships across the country, Lamborghini Newport Beach may be one of the most active. That is, they regularly host drives and events for their clients, and the community that they've built around their dealership is regularly gathered.Case and point, the VIP 700 Club. On Oct. 10, a few dozen Lamborghini owners gathered with their cars for an Aventador-only drive through Laguna Beach, California. They started at the dealership in Newport Beach and made their way along the coast, finishing the day with dinner at Mastro's Ocean Club.(See Also: Lamborghini Huracan Police Car "Chase": Behind the Scenes)It was an exciting day for all - and the high horsepower and incredible variety of Aventadors weren't the only reasons. After dinner, an attendee gave everyone else another reason to celebrate as he got down on one knee, ring box in hand, and got a "yes" from his date.Check out the photos of the event and video of this massive group's rollout, and when you're done, find your own Aventador from Lamborghini Newport Beach and prepare for their next event.View Dealer Inventory Gallery (Source: Lamborghini Newport Beach) Lamborghini News, Pics and Videos

By Caitlin Duffy – October 13, 2015

Lamborghini Huracan Police Car "Chase": Behind the Scences

When your camera car is a Gallardo Spyder, you know you're working on something powerful.Just a little over a year ago, Dave Nickerson of Nue Vue Photography shared a video with the world of a choreographed chase through the streets of South Florida. Two Lamborghinis, one in police livery, the other a black Superleggera. Within the first three days, the video hit 300,000 views, and now we get to see how it was put together.A year later, he's shared a look at how this video was made and the results of a photoshoot with the Huracan police car, the result of an impressive wrap from the team at Lamborghini Palm Beach. With a police escort for the evening and some editing to speed up the chase, Nickerson was able to create an intense chase scene without running afoul of traffic laws.Check out the videos above and below and the gallery to get a close look at this one-of-a-kind fictional face off, then find your own Huracan from our exclusive listings.Huracans For Sale Gallery (Source: YouTube, Nue Vue) See More Lamborghini News

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2015

Historic Lamborghini Miura S Barn Find in New York

Finding a car in a barn is not impossible. In fact, there are probably plenty of barns within a 100 mile radius of you that have some form of a car in it. But, to find a car as historic as the Lamborghini Miura S really is a miraculous event, and one that just happened to John Temerian, President of Lou La Vie.Temerian is both president of the company and an avid automobile collector. In fact, we covered a 1972 Jaguar E-Type Roadster that he added to his collection back on Aug. 25. Now, we get to talk about his miraculous Miura S barn find.After even more research, Temerian learned that this Miura S may be the first or second one ever made.To see this historic car, the result of a once-in-a-lifetime barn find, for yourself, stop by the "CURATED" Art Basel Miami Beach event, by Pininfarina.

By Edward Jones – October 08, 2015

Three 2,000+ HP Lamborghini Gallardos Blast Down Airstrip

At the Revvolution & Shift Sector’s Pikes Peak Airstrip Attack on June 26-27, three 2,000+ hp Lamborghini Gallardos showed up to "wow" the crowd and break records.The cars were all brought in by OB Prestige Auto and their racing team, who were bold enough to create and drive these Lamborghinis. But, it makes perfect sense when you learn that Jason Heffner of Heffner Performance is part of the team. Each of them is heavily modified and has 76-mm turbochargers drastically improving their engine power.(See Also: Porsche 918 Spyder vs. Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition)1320video was on-hand at the event, filming the scene as it all went down. During the first day, all three cars were in commission, including two all-wheel drive Gallardos and one rear-wheel drive. Breaking the airstrip speed record was the red Gallardo, which rocketed up to 212.5 mph during the course of its sprint. Right after this record run, its blue counterpart moved the record further to 220 mph, and then again later to 224 mph. Hitting a top speed of 205 was the grey rear-wheel drive Gallardo.At the end of the event, OB Prestige walked away winning overall, as well as winning in the RWD and AWD classes. See the sprints for yourself in the video below, uploaded Oct. 7.Gallardo Listings (Source: YouTube via Autoevolution) See More Lamborghini Videos, News and Photos

By Caitlin Duffy – October 06, 2015

Porsche 918 Spyder vs. Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edit...

Another day, another incredible pairing of supercars running against each other on a drag strip.This time, we have the 918 Spyder, Porsche's hybrid monster capable of a 0-62 mph run in 2.6 seconds, and the Aventador LP 700-4 Pirelli Edition, a V12 beast from Lamborghini that can reach a speed of 216 mph.Gumbal was on hand to capture their sprints, and shared his video of the event on YouTube today. Though the driver of the 918 was a little eager to get started, the two hit the road as hard as they could when the race finally began, each with their tops down, each using launch control to utilize as much power and control as possible.(See Also: 5 Best Winter Driving Academies for 2015-2016)Who do you think won this race to the end? Check out the spec comparison of the two below, let us know your prediction in the comments, check out the video above (skip to 1:50 for the drag race) and then find your own version of your favorite contender from our exclusive listings. Engine: 4.6-liter V8, 2 electric motorsTransmission: 7-speed PDK dual-clutchHorsepower: 887Torque: 944 lb-ftDry Weight: 3,650 lbs0-60 mph: 2.6 secondsTop Speed: 211+ mph Engine: 6.5-liter V12Transmission: 7-speed semi-automaticHorsepower: 691Torque: 508 lb-ftDry Weight: 4,085 lbs0-62 mph: 2.9 secondsTop Speed: 217 mphView Aventador Listings

By Caitlin Duffy – September 28, 2015

Lamborghini Aventador SV vs. Huracan on the Autobahn

So, you're driving along the Autobahn in your Lamborghini Huracan, and along comes a new Lamborghini Aventador SV in the lane next to you. What's the first thing you do?Turn on the video camera and go back and forth showing off your exhaust notes, of course.Added to YouTube Sept. 21 by Thegermansupercars is a video of just such an occurrence, which begins North of Düsseldorf and continues on for quite a stretch. There are even a few other Lamborghinis that they find along the roadway, with a few tagging in to the game of "follow the leader" as they hit open stretches of the speed-limit-free sections. Check out the video above to see their travels along the Autobahn, and find your own Aventador or Huracan from our exclusive listings, and prepare for some fun at the track when your new car arrives. Huracans For Sale Aventadors For Sale (Source: YouTube) See More Lamborghini News

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